Club Notes - Week Ending 09.12.12.

7 December 2012 10:17am

By The Editor

Fermoy mini players pictured with Munster Mascot Oscar

This week's club notes come from Fermoy RFC.

Fermoy Mini Rugby

Charleville Challenge This Weekend

Last weekend our Minis travelled to challenge Clonakilty. Our teams performed well in what was a tough encounter with our lads demonstrating improvement in both their team commitment and individual performance. On this coming Saturday morning 8th December, Fermoy will host Charleville. Please can our players be at the Showgrounds at 10am for match preparation and please ensure that all players have boots and gum shields as they will not be allowed to play without them. We would be grateful if our U7s & U8s could help with the catering and bring along a plate of sandwiches for the after match refreshments.

Under 7′s Rugby

The U7′s travelled to Clonakilty on a sharp crisp winter's morning. Fermoy had only five players and several Clonakilty players elected to help out their visitors and we played a mixed Fermoy/Clonakilty team versus Clonakilty. We played three teams from Clonakilty drawing the first match and winning the remaining two. All teams played well in good spirited matches. Fermoy try scorers were Eoghan Leddy, Tommy O'Sullivan and Pádraig O'Toole, not forgetting Dara Cuffe and Jack Keating. The Lads worked very hard at a passing drill after they arrived in Clonakilty and this produced dividends. The Lads skills are steadily improving throughout the season. Well done to all players and keep up the hard work at the Wednesday training sessions.

Our Under 8s continued their winning run at Clonakilty on Saturday outscoring our hosts by 7 tries to 2. In the first half the two teams were very well matched with good tackling and running by both sides. Daniel who got very close to the line laid it back for Ryan to go over for our first score. We then had to defend for the next 10 minutes and left in 2 tries which Clon had to work very hard for. On the restart we won the ball off a ruck, Seamus burst down the wing, laid it off to Shane to go over for a score and leave the sides tied at half time. In the second half Clon brought on a second team who proved to be that bit weaker. Immediately on the restart Eoin went over for a great individual effort quickly followed by a second from Ryan. After that Clon improved in their tackling and our remaining scores were hard won. Louie scored after several rucks in which we retained the ball following good work by Denis and Eoin. Seamus again got on the scoresheet following good support play from Leadhbeth and John. Then Molly nearly scored but was held up on the line; the ball was recycled quickly and Billy went over for the score. Both John and Daniel almost scored at the end but couldn't convert close to the line. Overall it was a great team performance with tackling and confidence improving with each passing week. Big thanks to our hosts who provided refreshments after the match.

Under 11′s Rugby - Fermoy Under 11′s Play at Thomond Park

On Saturday 1st December at the half time interval of the match between Munster and Glasgow Warriors, our Under 11′s had the opportunity to demonstrate their skill and ability to the crowd in Thomond Park.

Well done to all the players & coaches involved in representing our club so well!

Training

Weekly training Fermoy Mini rugby mid week training continues on Wednesdays at 6.45pm. Please remember to bring €2 for each Wednesday nights training session-to help towards the cost of the floodlights. Please ensure players have boots and gumshields, for safety reasons hooded sweatshirts should not be worn.

Recruiting

New members welcome Fermoy mini rugby club aims to develop the game of rugby in a safe and enjoyable manner by encouraging skills development and above all fun and inclusion for young players in the age range under 8 to under 12. We always welcome new members. We would like to invite all interested in playing to come along on Saturday morning or to any of our training sessions and join in.

If you have a query regarding Fermoy mini rugby please contact Jim Crowley at 0851742244.

Fermoy Youth Rugby

Under 17′s Rugby

Our U17s played the re-fixed league game against Youghal on Saturday and we finished up losing on a score of 17 - 13 in a game we feel got away from us. Though disappointed to lose a game we should have won, the team that went out on the day should be proud of themselves. This has not been an easy league campaign for this bunch of players but they have always given their best.

Like nearly every game we've played so far, we started the stronger for the first twenty minutes but we failed to put scores on the board. Our pack started very strongly against a much bigger Youghal. Sean Hegarty was in for a try in the corner only to be clearly taken out by a shoulder charge, an offence that merited a yellow card if not a penalty try but to be fair the Ref was unsighted and we got a penalty. For the next twenty minutes Youghal seemed to find their feet and started to play a very good offloading game bringing in the big ball carriers.

Our defence was great with Mark Johnson, Sean Burke, Cian Lau and Adam leading the charge in the forwards. Youghal scored through one of their forward charges and it looked like we were in for a tough day but the team rallied and through some great forwards work and slick handling across the back line we saw Mark Johnson cross in the corner for a well worked try. Youghal scored again before half time through a well worked Lineout.

We started well in the second half but again were put under pressure by the bigger Youghal forwards and they again managed to get a score through a lineout drive. We then started to take the game to Youghal through our backs with Ben Lomasney, Declan Varner and Oscar carrying very strongly and driving the opposition back in defence. Josh Pickering was his usual hassling and haring self around ruck and scrum. This period of pressure paid off with Fermoy first getting a penalty which Eoin slotted and then Oscar finishing off some great work by Declan and the other backs by scoring close to the posts. We were regrouping on the halfway line getting ready for another attack at the Youghal line but the Ref blew up for full time.

It's disappointing not to win but great to see the progress this young U17's team is making. A big thank you to our vocal and loyal supporters who are with us every week.

**All players are to be at training Thursday night, 6th December

John O'Neill from Munster Rugby will be taking the Training Session**

This is a great opportunity for players to learn from the south Munster U17 Regional Development coach. This will double as a 'coach the coach' session so any current or future coaches are encouraged to come along.

Fermoy Youths

Under 13 & 14 Rugby

After a rest weekend with training last Saturday, we play Ballincollig away this Saturday. Parents are asked to have players at the back gate of the Showgrounds at 10am this Saturday morning and as we don't have a bus, parents are asked to carpool. Women's Development League

Women's Rugby

Waterford City 3- Fermoy 10
Fermoy Lionesses continued their unbeaten run this season with a win away to Waterford City (10-3).

The game started very promising for Fermoy with some great carries from the backs and the pack. The first try was scored by outhalf Louise Buttimer who looped very well around the Waterford defence after some strong drives forward from Trish Carroll, Breda O'Sullivan and Siobhan Clarke.

Waterford replied with a close range penalty to make the score 5-3. Fermoy regrouped after this to put some great phases of play together, leading to Christine Bruen scoring the second try of the game. This would be the end of the scoring for the day with some unbelievable defence displayed by Fermoy in the second half to keep a strong Waterford team at bay. Try saving tackles from Roberta McDonald and numerous steals by Sophie Carroll ensured Waterford did not cross the Fermoy try line.

Next league game takes place Sunday December 9th at the showgrounds against Highfield-Youghal. All support welcome.

Mens Rugby

Charleville 5 - 20 Fermoy (J3 League)

The Fermoy J3's qualified to the next stage of the league process with a fifteen point victory away against Charleville last Sunday. This was a must win game as Muskerry were one point ahead but had played all their games.

Fermoy started the game on the front foot with excellent hammers from Ken Raggott, Ken O'Flaherty and Andrew Lenihan. From this pressure Pa Hornibrook broke down the blind side, passed to Dave Callanan who took advantage of a three on two to cross over for the first score of the game. Fermoy came straight back at Charleville and were awarded a penalty for their efforts which was converted by Pa Hornibrook. Mark Stapleton, who stood in at out half for the first time this season, had a good game, distributing good ball out the backs. John Duggan kicked well out of hand finding some excellent touches.

The Fermoy line out was again impressive; Mick Hickey, Tom Griffin and Robin O'Flaherty secured good possession. Good work from the forwards led to Fermoy's second try of the game, Pa broke from the base of the ruck to cross over which he duly converted.

In the second half Charleville had a lot more possession and with the bigger pack it was route one rugby, despite some excellent defensive work Fermoy could not hold out the home side for their only try of the game. Fermoy began to pin Charleville inside their own half with good kick chases from Cillian Tobin and Tom Dillon. With ten minutes remaining Martin O'Brien crossed over in the corner to seal victory for Fermoy.

This was a great result away from home and Fermoy along with Midleton will join UCC and Dolphin in the next format of the league.

We would also wish Ethan McCormack a speedy recovery and hope to see him back in the green jersey in the New Year.

Other Club News:

Munster Rugby Coach Comes to Fermoy to 'Coach the Coaches'

John O'Neill from Munster Rugby will be at Fermoy RFC at 7.30pm Thursday night, 6th December for a 'Coach The Coach' session. This will be run with Mike Lacey's U17 side, and the aim of the session is to train the coaches by getting them involved in the session.

This is the first of two sessions. Part I, this Thursday will be focusing on movement, general play and the all-important defence. Part II will be after Christmas.

All current coaches are invited to attend, as well as any potential coaches or players with an interest in learning. We are happy for you to spread the word. We would ask that you confirm your attendance by contacting our Youth Rugby Officer - Ian Hutchinson by phone 087 9653224 or by email ian-hutchinson@live.co.uk

Fermoy RFC Christmas Night Out
Fermoy RFC are having their Christmas Night out on 22nd December at Jimmy's in Kilworth at 8pm.

On Behalf of Fermoy RFC - We would like to wish all of our Members and their Families a Very Merry Christmas!
Thank you to all of our players, coaches and volunteers for all your hard work & efforts to make Fermoy RFC what it is.

The Munster Association of Referees is giving you the opportunity to give back to the sport. Rugby referees enjoy the same benefits of the game as the players - without the injuries!
For more information on how to register, please email fermoyrugby@gmail.com

Relive the action from Saturday night at Irish Independent Park and get the post-match thoughts of man of the match Keith Earls as Munster enjoyed a 22-10 win over Glasgow Warriors in Round 16 of the Guinness PRO12.